More than $761 million in economic and community development funding has been awarded through Round IX of the Regional Economic Development Council initiative in New York.
Western New York: Regional Council Awardee | $67.3 million supporting 109 projects
Finger Lakes: Regional Council Awardee | $64.4 million supporting 94 projects
Southern Tier: Top Performer | $88.9 million supporting 109 projects
Central New York: Top Performer | $86.2 million supporting 93 projects
Mohawk Valley: Top Performer | $82.7 million supporting 81 projects
North Country: Regional Council Awardee | $67.9 million supporting 83 projects
Capital Region: Top Performer | $84.1 million supporting 120 projects
Mid-Hudson: Regional Council Awardee | $65.8 million supporting 105 projects
New York City: Regional Council Awardee | $66.3 million supporting 109 projects
Long Island: Top Performer | $87.9 million supporting 94 projects.
In 2019, all 10 REDCs competed for up to $150 million in capital funds and $75 million in Excelsior Tax Credits for projects identified by the Regional Councils as priorities in their regions.
All ten regions competed for designation as a Top Performer with the five top performing regions being awarded a share of $100 million in ESD capital grants.
The remaining five regions were awarded a share of $50 million in ESD capital grants.
Each region was also awarded a share of $75 million in Excelsior Tax Credits to help attract and grow business in the region.
The Regional Council priorities this year included working with local businesses and communities to identify childcare needs and develop potential solutions; developing an economic and environmental justice strategy for the region; supporting community investment in place-making and downtown revitalization; and supporting the state's $175 million Workforce Development Initiative.
Each council was asked to address these items in ways that complement each regional vision.
During Round IX, the Strategic Implementation Assessment Team (SIAT), comprised of state agency commissioners and members of the New York State Legislature, received presentations on this year's proposals from each of the ten Regional Councils and assessed the implementation of the regions' strategic plans. ■